There is no such thing as a “FLUSHABLE” wipe.
Manufacturers of baby wipes will often indicate on the packaging that the product is “flushable.” Plumbing experts say there’s no such thing as a flushable wipe. Because wipes don’t break down in water, they can clog up plumbing systems in a home, and damage pipes and machinery at wastewater treatment plants.
With the Covid-19 outbreak and the shortage of toilet paper, consumers have turned to sanitary wipes under many brands to take care of personal hygiene when it comes to using the bathroom. Unfortunately most folks take the packaging at it’s word and flush this wipes in the toilet. This is wreaking havoc with sanitary sewer systems everywhere. Cain’s recently went to a customers home to clear a main sewer line blockage. The sewer line was full of 100’s of sanitary wipes. It took hours to remove them, and made for a bill that could have been completely avoided, if the wipes had been disposed of in another way.
So, how do we dispose of these wipes if we can’t flush them? Here are a couple of suggestions.
- In your own home, place a small lined wastebasket with a lid that opens easily within arms reach of the toilet. One with a hinged lid works great. You can place a little bit of air neutralizer in the bottom of the waste bin to combat small. Empty daily.
https://www.amazon.com/Umbra-Waste-Gallon-Swing-Matte/dp/B0000V09DC - Also in your own home, get a Diaper Pail,
https://www.amazon.com/Dekor-Classic-Hands-Free-Diaper-Easiest/dp/B01JZD2XWU
or Cat litter Pail https://www.amazon.com/Litter-Genie-Plus-Pail-Silver/dp/B007IRMTXE/
After all, that;s where diapers go, right? (Please don’t flush diapers or feminine products either.) - When outside your home, if you’re carrying wipes, then you can carry some pet waste bags or quart size zipper baggies (if you prefer), and place your dirty wipes into the baggy to dispose of. No different then picking up after your pet and throwing it away.
As you can see by the image above, while toilet paper fully breaks down, sanitary wipes do not. This is after 1 year of being inside the jars. Please take a moment to think about it before you flush wipes down the sewer. Even if it isn’t going to cost you money, in the end, it is going to cost someone money. That’s easy to avoid. Just don’t flush anything except human waste and toilet paper in the toilet.